Quartz Clock Fix?

[dimeified]

My clock has never worked in my carrera since i've had the car 2 years ago. It says Quarz on the bottom of it, which i assume is german, which in english is Quartz. Interestingly enough, my oil pressure gauge reads Druck Press, and i don't think i have an row car.

I set the time to 9:11, as i did yesterday for kicks because it doesnt work, but today the clock read 9:15. I've also set the clock to the correct time in the past only to find out it doesnt keep time at all, what could be causing this?

[TargaFlorio]

Have you driven the car since you've set the clock?
Perhaps the minute hand moved from :11 to :15 because of the vibration?

Cheers,
n.
_
http://nicolashunziker.com

[Zeke]

Search clock repair. I fixed a clock from an early car once and it was simple. There is a fine wire that comes loose. That wire may be contacting now and then due to bumps.

[dimeified]

Ok i got the clock out. I checked the power leads and i get 12 volts. I also hooked up a 9v battery to the clock since i dont have a 12v laying around, and i hear the clock ticking inside. Im going to try to clean the tabs and power leads and connect and reconnect the clock, and check it in 5 minutes and see if it's keeping time. It very well may be crappy continuity from the leads.

[tcar]

All of them have gauges labeled like that. Doesn't mean it's a car made for Germany.

If you decide to try to re-solder the broken wire, DO NOT use a soldering gun; it will toast your electrics.

Did the 9V work?

[Jascha]

'Pelican Guest Technical Article' details the problems with the internal electrical solder connections that often fail. Another common failure are the two capacitors that may need replacing...

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/mult_vdo_clock_repair/mult_vdo_clock_repair.htm

[dimeified]

9v didnt work, i think i was hearing the clock on my wall in a different tone when i held the gauge to my ear. I also tried to connect the clock directly to the car battery. Didnt hear anything. Looks like vibration from driving made the clock hands move the other day. It is stone dead. I'm going to look into alternatives for other gauges there.

[3.2 CAB]

This reminds me of the clock problem that I had a few years back. The clock was really acting strange. It would work perfectly when the engine was running, but when you killed the engine the clock would stop. I checked the voltage, and the wiring, all was what it should be, but the clock would only work with the engine running. I guess that it would have been a pretty good engine run timer, but I really wanted a clock that worked properly. After putting up with this for a couple of years, I decided to go ahead and get a good used replacement clock. The best price I found for an excellent used clock, was at Oklahoma Foreign Parts. Gary made me a super deal on an excellent used clock, it has worked ever since. It has been 5 years or more now. I still have the original clock, and I may pull it apart to see what is what inside, so I have been keeping all the clock repair postings for the last few years. Who knows, I might actually get around to fixing it yet. I do want to clarify, that I have no affiliation, or interests with Oklahoma Foreign, just a happy repeat customer on several items over the years.

[Jascha]

You will probably need to open the clock and can do so by prying (very gently) around the bezel perimeter that holds the glass to the front of the gauge.

The details of how I and others have fixed the VDO ticker is described here:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=255474&highlight=clock+capacitors

[RWebb]

"I have been keeping all the clock repair postings for the last few years."

3.2 Cab - Can you post all those URLs here?

BTW - I have a similar problem - seems to be related to cold weather also tho. I just figured the grease was congealing in the mechanism.

[dimeified]

As it turns out a post went up in the classifieds for a used working clock for sale. I jumped at the post. Waiting to hear from the seller. I didn't do a great job removing the bezel to get to the innards, not good enough to want to mount it back in my car, so a new used one will have to do.

[3.2 CAB]

Hi, I will try to get them posted, as soon as I round them all up.

[joetiii]

Originally Posted by Jascha

'Pelican Guest Technical Article' details the problems with the internal electrical solder connections that often fail. Another common failure are the two capacitors that may need replacing...

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/mult_vdo_clock_repair/mult_vdo_clock_repair.htm

I got my clock opened up and sure enough I need to resolder the little spring. The tech article says "To do this correctly, you need to use a low temperature solder (specification is solder with a fusing point of 120C or 248F).

I have searched the web and the lowest temp solder I can come up with melts at 275 degrees. There is another product that melts in boiling water 212 degrees.

Are we better off using a lower point or higher melt point?

here's the product spec... available at Shor International 914 667 1100
http://shorinternational.com/Metals.htm


Low Temp Metal

Melts in boiling water. Supplied in 2 oz. ingots. Typically used for making metal molds. Should not be used when making metal molds for plastic injection. Item #54.812 Price $10.10

Tix Solder- Hardest soft solder on earth. Has a holding power of 4300 PSI. Adheres to all ordinary solderable materials and works with gun, iron, torch or soldering machine. Stays white and does not tarnish. Comes in 3" sticks with 20 sticks per package. Also see: Tix Flux 275º F 54.808 $15.85

[Sniff]

I've read every thread on VDO clock repair and only saw my situation mentioned once (and the guy just ended up purchasing a new clock from a dismantler). I'd like to see if my VDO quartz clock has an easy fix ('89 911).

The problem: My clock works fine when the car is running. It keeps accurate time and all the lights work normal. However when the car is turned off, it dies. Obviously it's getting power, however could it be a problem with the capacitors? Any help is greatly appreciated.

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by Sniff

I've read every thread on VDO clock repair and only saw my situation mentioned once (and the guy just ended up purchasing a new clock from a dismantler). I'd like to see if my VDO quartz clock has an easy fix ('89 911).

The problem: My clock works fine when the car is running. It keeps accurate time and all the lights work normal. However when the car is turned off, it dies. Obviously it's getting power, however could it be a problem with the capacitors? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Most likely the capacitors-

I posted a resolution to this issue a while back.

Suggest a search=capacitors.

pm me as needed.

Gerry

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by Lorenfb

Send it to Pelican Parts for a repair.

you repair clocks, Loren?

[Lorenfb]

No, Pelican Parts has a local source which has been servicing tachs & speedos
for over 20 years. Why would anyone one attempt a DIY tach/speedo repair when
it's not that expense and possibly could damage the unit. When my speedo went bad,
I sent it out.

[Joe Bob]

If you plan on replacing the clock....consider a combo volt meter and head temp.

[Nick Triesch]

Replce the caps! Worked for me. Do a search and see what no. caps you need from Radio Shack.

[Sniff]

OK, I think replacing both capacitors looks like the best course of action if I can't find anything glaring when I first open the clock up. Thanks.